Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice on the use of hepatitis B vaccines during supply shortages

Sector Release

Australia, 27 September 2017

The shortage of adult formulation Engerix-B® (hepatitis B vaccine) that Australia has experienced since November 2016, is expected to continue until at least January 2018. A shortage of the alternative vaccine H-B-Vax-II® is also now being experienced due to an increase in demand for its use.

To date, there has been no effect on the supply of government funded vaccine, but the shortage has affected the private market supply for other individuals requiring hepatitis B vaccination e.g. healthcare workers, travellers. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recently provided updated advice on the use of hepatitis b vaccines. The advice is very clearly outlined for providers in a PDF, and outlined in the statement below:

“Supply for the National Immunisation Program (NIP) has not been affected at this time, so the adult formulation of hepatitis B vaccines as part of the NIP expansion measure should continue as scheduled for all eligible individuals. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has developed further clinical advice for vaccination providers."

Download the Advice as a PDF

The clinical advice is in relation to recommended alternative vaccination strategies for adults requiring completion of hepatitis B vaccination and can be found here